tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
A large subject area covering micrometer, digital calliper, angle gauge through to the simple ruler.
The number of times I modify or design a machine and guess at the rotational speed is ridiculous, then I saw the Fitnate Digital Tachometer and for ~£16 I thought it was worth a go. This is the DT-2234A and is a non-contact optical tacho. This comes in a neat zipped pouch. It works really … Read more
A quick review of the Moore and Wright Digital Caliper MW110-15DBL. This is a 0-150mm or 0-6 inch caliper from their Value Line. Must admit that I bought this after breaking the screen on my very old Machine DRO caliper. I have since replaced the screen. I have always liked M&W tools and this stands up … Read more
Replacing the Screen on a Digital Caliper after I broke it dropping it on the floor. Remove All Fragments of Glass The thing is, I’ve had this digital caliper for a few years and I like it. The newer caliper I bought is just not as nice in it’s operation. This is a Machine DRO … Read more
I wanted to know how good is your Mobile Phone as an Angle Gauge? So I checked it against a known set of angles and a known gauge. So I set up an experiment using a surface table (an accurate flat plate), a sine bar and a Wixey angle gauge. This allows me to set … Read more
I’ve been thinking about my machining accuracy and asking myself the question: “Do I need a Digital Micrometer?”. So I thought I would discuss it here and see whether I can logically work it through. Why do I think I need a digital micrometer? In my normal machining I use a digital caliper, actually I … Read more
In updating a DTI base, I bought a snug and I made a snug. A beautiful find at a car boot. I actually bought two snugs for a couple of pounds, then they just sat there. Snug: a universal adjustable joint you find with a magnetic base that allows the rods to be moved and … Read more
This was bought for me as a present, what a fantastic present, a Moore & Wright dial test indicator and a homemade stand. Must admit that I’ve been staring at it for a number of weeks thinking about how I’m going to make a mounting system for it so that I can use it in … Read more
The brass and black main body of the Veritas marking gauge makes it very distinctive, this is the fine adjust version and so the thumb wheel lock for the body and the threaded lock/fine adjustment. The instructions are simple and not really needed as this is so simple to use. The only useful insight to … Read more
The “Scriber from Scrap” is a simple project made from leftovers that is great for those new and old to engineering. Some time ago I bought a solid carbide 3mm diameter end mill to remove a broken tap. The first thing is why did I not buy a slot drill as this would have been … Read more
A review of a DIN 875 Flat Square, an engineers square. Must admit that I saw this small flat square and immediately had to buy one. The number of times I have been working on something and wanted a square that would lie flat on the workpiece so that I could mark out. Or a … Read more